Hellertown Mayor Closes 250th Celebration

Community spirit, togetherness and brotherly love are what made the Hellertown 250th celebration enriching for those involved, said the borough's mayor last night at closing ceremonies.

For the past six months, the people of Hellertown have been celebrating the anniversary years with occasional events that included a parade, a dance, a road rally, geranium plantings, a family weekend, and the grand ball last night.

There wasn't an empty seat last night in the American Legion Post on Main Street in Hellertown. The color theme in the room was gold and red, and the 250 guests wore their evening formals and black ties.

"These past six months have been great entertainment and great fun and meaningful as well," said Stanley W. Prosser at the head table while guests enjoyed apple pie and ice cream.

"It is hard to imagine what was here 250 years ago. This building might have been a tepee for the Lenni Lenape Indians," Prosser continued.

Jeanette Boos read a recitation last night in honor of her mother, Addie Frye, who often read poems or stories at historical society banquets.

Guests of honor were introduced, including state Rep. Robert Freeman, D-136th District; Paul and Katherine McHale, D-133rd District, and District Justice Diane Repyneck.

In a roast-style introduction, 250th Anniversary Celebration Chairman David J. Heintzelman was introduced by Prosser, who hosted the borough's 230th celebration.

"He's hyper and nervous," said Prosser to a roaring crowd.

Prosser teased Heintzelman about his answers at the Family Feud game during Family Weekend and gave him gag gifts reflecting his answers.

After a standing ovation, Heintzelman took the ribbing in good humor and returned the jokes before he thanked those who chaired the committees that made the fund-raising and events of the anniversary celebration possible. Mayor Donald C. Zimpfer got some ribbing of his own from Prosser, who introduced him as the man in charge of a pool with no water and a Main Street nobody can cross.

Zimpfer talked about how the celebration has served to revitalize the community.

Thanks to the generosity of the people with their time and money, the anniversary celebration has been successful, Zimpfer said.

Private donations totaled $20,000, and any profits earned from the fund-raising of the celebration will be donated to the Hellertown Historical Society.

"Hellertown's greatest assets are its people. They have made this anniversary possible," Zimpfer said.